Washington Unemployment

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Can't reach Washington Unemployment? Claimyr calls for you, so you don't have to wait on hold.

Claimyr is a pay-as-you-go service. We do not charge a recurring subscription.

Using Claimyr will:

  • Connect you to a human agent at the ESD
  • Skip the long phone menu
  • Call the correct department
  • Redial until on hold
  • Forward a call to your phone with reduced hold time
  • Give you free callbacks if the ESD drops your call
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Ask the community...

  • DO post questions about your issues.
  • DO answer questions and support each other.
  • DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
  • DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)

How long do you have to work at a job before you can get Washington ESD unemployment?

Just started a new job 2 months ago and I'm worried they might lay me off due to budget cuts. I've been working in Washington for about 3 years total but only at this current job for 8 weeks. If I get let go, would I qualify for unemployment benefits? I heard there's some kind of work requirement but I'm not sure what it is. Does anyone know how long you need to work at a specific job before Washington ESD will approve your claim?

I used to work in HR and can confirm everything people are saying here. The length of time at your current job is irrelevant for Washington ESD eligibility purposes. It's all about your base period earnings and hours. With 3 years of steady work, you're definitely covered.

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Thanks for the professional perspective! That makes me feel much more confident about my situation.

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You're welcome! Always happy to help clarify these things. The unemployment system can be confusing but it's actually pretty straightforward once you understand the basics.

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Final thought - even though you're worried about layoffs, try not to stress too much about it. You've got 3 years of work history, which means you're definitely eligible for benefits if you need them. Focus on doing good work at your current job and cross the unemployment bridge if you come to it.

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You're absolutely right. I should focus on the present instead of worrying about hypothetical situations. Thanks for the perspective!

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Exactly! And now you know you're covered if anything does happen, so you can worry about one less thing.

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How long do you have to file for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD?

I got laid off from my job at a manufacturing plant two weeks ago and I'm just now thinking about filing for unemployment. My friend told me there's a deadline for filing but I can't find clear information on Washington ESD's website. How long do you actually have to file for unemployment after losing your job? I'm worried I might have already missed some kind of window. Also, if I file now, will my benefits be backdated to when I lost my job or only from when I file?

Great job getting it filed! Make sure to file your weekly claims on time and keep up with the job search requirements.

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Awesome! You'll probably get your first payment in about 2-3 weeks if everything goes smoothly.

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Can felons get unemployment benefits in Washington state?

I got out of prison 8 months ago and have been working at a warehouse job since February. My employer just laid off half the crew due to budget cuts and I'm wondering if I can file for unemployment benefits with Washington ESD. I have a felony conviction from 2019 - does that automatically disqualify me from getting UI benefits? I've been paying into the system through my paychecks but I'm not sure if my criminal record affects eligibility. Has anyone with a felony record successfully gotten unemployment in Washington?

Washington state doesn't discriminate based on criminal history for unemployment benefits. You earned those benefits through your work and payroll contributions. As long as you meet the standard eligibility requirements, you should be approved.

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Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice. I'm going to file my claim this weekend and hopefully everything goes smoothly.

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Good luck! Remember to keep track of your job search activities and file your weekly claims on time. You've got this!

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Just want to add that you should also look into any job training programs available through WorkSourceWA. Sometimes they have special programs for people with criminal backgrounds that can help with job placement.

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That's a great suggestion. I'll ask about training programs when I register with WorkSourceWA.

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Yeah they have some good programs. I did a forklift certification through them while on unemployment and it definitely helped me get my next job.

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Can I cancel my Washington ESD unemployment claim if I don't need it anymore?

I filed for unemployment benefits about 2 weeks ago but I just got a job offer that I'm going to accept. The position starts next Monday and I haven't received any payments yet from Washington ESD. Can I just cancel my claim completely? I don't want to deal with any complications or have to pay anything back later. Is there a way to withdraw it through the online system or do I need to call them?

For what it's worth, I tried to call Washington ESD about something similar and gave up after 2 hours of busy signals. The Claimyr service someone mentioned actually worked - got me through to a real person who confirmed exactly what everyone here is saying. Sometimes worth the investment to get definitive answers.

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I think I'm comfortable with the consensus here but good to know that option exists if I need it for anything else.

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Just stop filing your weekly claims and move on. You're making this way more complicated than it needs to be. Enjoy your new job!

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You're absolutely right. Sometimes I overthink things. Thanks for the reality check!

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If you get fired do you get unemployment benefits in Washington?

So I just got terminated from my job yesterday for what they're calling 'performance issues' but honestly I think it was just because my manager didn't like me. I've been working there for 2 years and never had any written warnings or anything. Can I still file for unemployment with Washington ESD if I got fired? I'm really confused about whether being fired automatically disqualifies you or if there are different rules depending on why you got fired. I need to know if I should even bother applying or if I'll just get denied.

i got fired for 'attitude' last year and still got unemployment so you should be fine. washington esd is pretty reasonable about this stuff as long as you werent stealing or doing drugs at work or something obvious like that

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Good to know! Seems like 'attitude' and 'performance' issues are pretty common reasons that still qualify for benefits.

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yeah exactly. they know that sometimes personalities just clash and that doesnt mean you did anything wrong

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Don't stress too much about it. Washington ESD processes thousands of these claims and they've seen every situation imaginable. As long as you're honest about what happened and you weren't fired for gross misconduct, you should be approved for benefits. File your claim today and start the process!

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You're welcome! That's what this community is for. Keep us updated on how your claim goes!

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Good luck with your claim! Remember to file those weekly claims even while you're waiting for the initial decision.

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